Welcome to Serenity

I Can't Heal All Your Wounds

Annie's POV:
Monday soon becomes Friday and whenever I see Jackson somehow I'm stopped, by a teacher telling me that I should be in class, Kyle telling me about a movie he watched, or Ty.

"Now, how have you been coping with the nightmares?" Dr McDaniels asks, as I sigh deeply, rubbing my eyes.

Waking up early for a morning therapy session was not exactly what I wanted to be doing this morning, but it was the only appointment available this week.

"I'm taking the silence as not well." Dr McDaniels assumes correctly, as I look at the big clock on the wall near her desk.

"Yeah." I say.

"Have you tried that group therapy we suggested?" Lacy asks, as I suddenly remember what the flier on the kitchen counter is for.

"No. I don't know if I'd feel comfortable talking about... everything." I sigh as I move a strand of hair away from my face.

"I understand. But you can talk to us. Is there anything specific you would like to talk about for the remained of our session?" Dr McDaniels asks as I shrug stupidly.

I look out the window and see some birds flying around out the window.

I'm brought back to after the accident. Ty pushed my wheelchair out to a big window and we talked while watch birds fly overhead, free to do whatever they want, be whoever they want to be.

"Would you be okay talking about your food consumption?" Lacy asks softly, trying not to upset me.

Everyone keeps trying to tread so lightly around the subject, but when they give me food they just expect me to be all better, cause I can eat some foods and not throw it up now.

"I'm just so sick of feeling like I'm broken. Like something is wrong in my mind. Like an experiment gone wrong or a circus freak." I'm so frustrated over how my brain works.

Can't I just be a regular teenager? Not having to think about starving myself, or having dreams that constantly remind me of one of the worst times of my life.

"You are not broken, Annie. You are valid. I can only imagine what all this is like for you, especially at such a young age." Lacy stops herself as Dr McDaniels continues for her.

"I can't heal all your wounds. Experiences often scar, but they eventually numb. The pain doesn't last forever. It feels like it will, but it doesn't." Dr McDaniels reassures me as Lacy reaches out for my hand and squeezes it, giving me a small spark of hope.

Suddenly the receptionist knocks on the door. "Your next appointment is here, ladies." She says through the door.

"I guess that concludes our time together this week. Remember what I talked about." Dr McDaniels says helping me up.

"Thanks." I say.

"I'll see you Wednesday after school right?" Lacy asks.

"I'll be there." I reply, fake smiling as I walk out to the reception.

* * *

School seemed to drag on for far to long, with teachers reminding us that this year's tests are next week and that we need to review and study so that we can get good marks.

Eventually, after far too long the end of day bell rings and we all file out into the hallways, students chatting and laughing loudly.

"Hi." Ty says kissing my cheek sweetly.

"Aww. Hey babe." I smile closing my locker.

"Babe?" He asks smiling.

"Well thought I should start switching up the nicknames. Keep you on your toes." I say smiling as we walk over to his locker.